FREDERICK OZIAKPONO OHO, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the Ruling of the Edo State High Court of Justice sitting in Benin City, Edo State, which ruling was delivered on the 11th day of July, 2013 wherein the learned trial Judge overruled a challenge to the Courts jurisdiction filed by the Appellant. As Claimant, the Respondent sued three (3) Defendants including the Appellant for the publication of a libellous letter written by one Douglas Uhunmwangho, Esq., whose name was struck out by the Court below on the ground that he had merely acted as a Counsel when he wrote the said Publication.
At paragraph 21 of the Respondents Statement of Claim as Claimant, he claimed as follows;
WHEREFOR the Plaintiff claims against the Defendants jointly and severally.
1. The sum of 100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira Only) being general damages for falsely and maliciously publishing and disseminating of and concerning the Plaintiff in the letter dated the 27th …